Theater In The Red

Without Extra Funding, Naperville's Theatre Eclectic Will Close May 1.

April 16, 1999|By Lynn Van Matre, Tribune Staff Writer.

The curtain could be coming down for good at Theatre Eclectic in Naperville, home of the western suburbs' longest-running comedy.

On May 1, the cash-strapped, not-for-profit professional theater company will stage what could be its final performance of "Patsy's Bridal Shower"--and close its doors forever if additional funding cannot be found within the next few weeks.

"Our goals and artistic ambitious are lofty, but our resources are not," Theatre Eclectic artistic director Richard Schultz said Thursday. "We've struggled since the beginning, but now our reserves are depleted and we're desperate. We're hoping that someone or some organization in the community will come forward and help us turn things around."

Schultz, who has toiled full time at the theater without drawing a salary since 1994, said the 12-member ensemble needs $10,000 to keep going.

The troupe's current production, the audience-participation comedy "Patsy's Bridal Shower," has played to more than 6,000 people over the past four years, making it the longest-running comedy now playing in the Chicago suburbs. But box-office revenues have not kept pace with mounting operating costs, including $3,400 monthly rent for the company's 70-seat performance space in the Twin Centers mall at 618 E. Ogden Ave. The theater's lease runs until September 2000.

"It's been feast or famine," Schultz said. "Some nights we have sold-out shows and had to turn people away, but other nights we have drawn only 12 people. A big part of the problem is that we haven't had enough money to do advertising and marketing. We also underestimated the time it would take to convince the community that they can see good theater close to home."

Schultz, who moved from Chicago to Woodridge when Theatre Eclectic was launched in 1994, said he and other troupe members had "sincerely mixed feelings" about the reception they had received in Naperville. Schultz contended that Mayor George Pradel had never attended a Theatre Eclectic production, despite the fact that the company had invited the mayor to 12 shows and the mayor "has made an issue of being visible at new businesses."

Attempts to reach Pradel on Thursday were unsuccessful. However, Gary Karafiat, community relations manager for Naperville, said the mayor's busy schedule could have precluded him attending a show and that the mayor "had not meant to slight the group in any way."

"I know of several city employees who have gone to Theatre Eclectic performances and passed the word along about them," Karafiat said. "We wish them well and hope that they survive."

Ensemble members also were disappointed when they donated a total of 250 free tickets to members of the Naperville business community through the Naperville Chamber of Commerce and only two tickets were used, Schultz said.

Jane Abe, manager of member services for the Chamber of Commerce, said she personally had seen and enjoyed a production of "Play It Again, Sam" at Theatre Eclectic and was happy the troupe had chosen to locate in Naperville.

"I would think that they bring people to Naperville, and that's great," Abe said. She speculated that part of the troupe's problem could be that Naperville already has a community theater, the Summer Place, and "there could be a bit of competition" for audiences.

Theatre Eclectic made its performing debut with a free show at Naperville's Municipal Center and later operated out of a Naperville pizza parlor and a Lisle office building. The ensemble moved to its current home in the fall of 1997 and began presenting shows Thursday through Sunday. Its annual budget soared from $60,000 to $125,000.

To court crowds, the troupe dropped ticket prices by several dollars and started serving complimentary snacks during performances. The company also launched a mentoring program for teenage theater interns and sponsored playwriting contests to heighten its community profile.

Theatre Eclectic has received grants from several organizations, including the Illinois Arts Council, the DuPage Foundation, the Target Foundation, and the Arts and Business Council of Chicago. But Schultz said many grant agencies now prefer to fund projects that deal with social issues, making it difficult for a comedy troupe to get financial assistance.

Over the last several years, the group has staged a number of comedies, including "Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You" and "Psycho Beach Party." But "Patsy's Bridal Shower," which opened May 20, 1995, proved to be its biggest draw. Co-written by Schultz and Nick Kurasz, the comedy chronicles the cultural clash that erupts between families when Aurora trailer park resident Patsy Tucker falls in love with Oak Brook socialite J.B. Berenson.

According to Schultz, he has been approached by producers about directing productions of "Patsy's" in Boston and Phoenix, using actors from those areas.

Tickets for what could be the final performance of "Patsy" in Naperville are priced at $16 to $20. Call 630-548-2912.